Ebonyi Man Arrested for Selling 5-Day-Old Son for ₦1.5 Million

The Ebonyi State Police Command has detained a middle-aged man identified as Chukwuma Onwe for allegedly selling his newborn baby boy, who was just five days old, for ₦1.5 million. The shocking incident has thrown residents of the area into disbelief, sparking outrage and renewed conversations about the rising cases of child trafficking and moral decay in society.

According to reports from the command, the arrest followed credible intelligence received by police operatives concerning a suspected baby sale transaction that took place in one of the rural communities of the state. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the development to newsmen on Saturday, describing the case as “deeply disturbing and heartbreaking.” He explained that the suspect, Onwe, allegedly conspired with an accomplice to sell his biological son to a buyer whose identity is still under investigation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Onwe’s wife had recently delivered a baby boy at a local maternity center. However, just a few days after the child’s birth, neighbors noticed strange behavior from the couple and alerted local authorities after the infant suddenly went missing. Upon interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to selling his 5-day-old baby to a yet-to-be-identified woman for ₦1.5 million. The police later traced the transaction through mobile communications and financial records, leading to the swift arrest of Onwe.

Sources close to the family disclosed that financial hardship may have driven the suspect to commit the heinous act. It was gathered that Onwe, who works as a commercial motorcyclist, had been facing severe economic challenges for months. Neighbors said he had complained bitterly about his inability to feed his family or afford hospital bills when his wife went into labor. However, many still expressed disbelief that he could resort to selling his own child for money, describing his action as “the height of wickedness and desperation.”

The police spokesperson further confirmed that efforts were ongoing to locate the buyer and recover the infant. “The Commissioner of Police, CP Augustina Ogbodo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter to ensure that all individuals connected to this inhuman act are brought to justice. We are also working with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to rescue the baby and ensure the safety of the mother,” DSP Ukandu stated.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that the suspect showed no remorse when apprehended. “He kept saying he had no other choice,” one of the residents recounted. “He said hunger pushed him into it and that he thought it was better for the baby to live with rich people than to die of starvation.” The statement has since angered many in the community, with several describing the act as inexcusable regardless of circumstance.

A women’s rights activist based in Abakaliki, Mrs. Gloria Eze, condemned the incident in strong terms, calling it a reflection of Nigeria’s worsening poverty and declining moral values. She noted that the sale of infants has become a growing menace, with many families driven by financial desperation and the activities of organized child trafficking syndicates across the country. “We cannot continue to normalize evil under the excuse of hardship,” she said. “This is a five-day-old baby — a human being who deserves protection and love. We call on the authorities to ensure justice is served and that such acts are severely punished to deter others.”

Investigations have also revealed that baby-selling rings are increasingly exploiting rural communities, offering poor parents huge sums of money in exchange for infants. Many of these babies are reportedly sold to childless couples or trafficked across state lines for illicit purposes. Human rights organizations have urged the federal and state governments to strengthen child protection laws and tackle the root causes of the crisis — particularly poverty, unemployment, and lack of social welfare support.

In a related comment, a senior police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that cases of child trafficking and baby sale are becoming alarmingly frequent in Ebonyi and neighboring states. “Just last month, we intercepted a woman attempting to smuggle a newborn from Enugu to Port Harcourt. Many of these cases go unreported because they involve trusted family members or close acquaintances. This particular case involving Mr. Onwe is tragic, but it also exposes a dangerous trend that must be addressed urgently.”

Meanwhile, residents of the suspect’s village in Izzi Local Government Area have expressed deep shock and disappointment over the incident. Community leaders have reportedly distanced themselves from Onwe’s actions, describing them as a disgrace to the community and contrary to Igbo cultural values. One of the elders, Chief Emeka Nworie, lamented that the sanctity of family and the sacredness of childbirth were being eroded by greed and desperation. “In our culture, a child is a blessing, not a commodity. Selling your own child is an abomination that brings shame to both the family and the entire community,” he said.

The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to face charges related to child trafficking and illegal adoption once investigations are concluded. The Ebonyi State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to protecting children and dismantling networks involved in the sale or exploitation of minors. Authorities have also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to child trafficking to the nearest police station.

As the news continues to circulate across social media, Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions. While many condemned the man’s action outrightly, others sympathized with the crushing economic situation in the country, which they believe is pushing citizens to extremes. Some online users called on the government to increase support for struggling families, while others demanded severe punishment to serve as deterrence.

For now, the whereabouts of the 5-day-old baby remain unknown, but police sources have hinted that efforts to track down the buyer are yielding positive results. Officers involved in the case have expressed optimism that the child will soon be rescued and reunited with his mother, who is said to be in a state of emotional trauma.

The Ebonyi Police Command has assured the public that updates will be provided as investigations progress. The disturbing case has once again brought to the forefront the growing moral and economic crisis plaguing many Nigerian families — a harsh reminder of how desperation can drive people to commit unthinkable acts.

In a country where survival has become increasingly difficult for millions, the story of Chukwuma Onwe stands as both a tragedy and a warning — a tale of how poverty, if left unchecked, can erode humanity itself. As the nation awaits justice for the innocent child, many hope that this case will awaken the conscience of both government and society to the urgent need for compassion, reform, and accountability in the face of growing social decay.